hope of reaching a wide-ranging deal in automatic spending increases and tax cuts is all but gone. spending would be reduced and cuts would be felt in all areas of the government. economies have warned that going over the cliff would cause a spike in unemployment and trigger another recession. this morning the senate reconvenes with the aim of reaching a smaller deal, one that might spare millions of americans from paying her taxes. danielle nottingham reporting now from washington. >> lawmakers are still working on it. >> i want everyo one to know i' willing to get this done but i need dance partner. >> the main sticking point between democrats and republicans continues to be over the threshold of tax increases. president obama campaigned on raising taxes on income over $250,000 while many congressional republicans have pushed back against any tax increases. president obama is placing the blame for the impasse on the gop. >> they say that their biggest priority is making sure that we deal with the deficit in a serious way, but the way they're behaving is that their only priority i